Church Court Chambers | Llewellyn Culver-Evans

Rod McGurk

Senior Clerk

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Rod McGurk is superb by Legal 500 2023. The clerks’ room, led by senior clerk Rod McGurk and David Selsdon is very efficient and no task is too small or too great where barristers are concerned by Legal 500 2023 The clerks’ room is very good; you can be sure that cases will be covered, feedback will be correct and thorough, and the correct barrister with the right year of call will be provided. Rod McGurk leads commendably and David Selsdon is excellent. by Legal 500 2023 Rod McGurk has been praised as “very user friendly” by Legal 500 2017. Rod McGurk, who is ‘highly experienced’ and ‘most helpful’ Legal 500 2018. Rod McGurk is ‘very helpful and swift to respond to enquiries’ Legal 500 2019 Rod joined Church Court Chambers in 2016 from 7 Bedford Row chambers, having begun his clerking career 33 years ago, in 1989. He is adept at building and maintaining client relationships both domestically and internationally. He has a thoroughly professional and compellingly friendly manner. He was awarded a professional qualification by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and is a member of the International Bar Association. Rod was also invited to join the Legal Forum at the University of Greenwich.

David Selsdon

Deputy Senior Clerk

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The clerks’ room, led by senior clerk Rod McGurk and David Selsdon is very efficient and no task is too small or too great where barristers are concerned by Legal 500 2023 The clerks’ room is very good; you can be sure that cases will be covered, feedback will be correct and thorough, and the correct barrister with the right year of call will be provided. Rod McGurk leads commendably and David Selsdon is excellent. by Legal 500 2023 David joined Chambers in December of 2017 and has 25 years experience, previously having worked at a leading set of Chambers. He has a reputation for his professionalism, attention to detail, and high levels of efficiency. David is responsible for managing the development of Members' practice, as well as building and maintaining professional client relations. When not in Chambers, David is an avid sports fan

Tom Horgan

First Junior Clerk

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Tom joined Church Court Chambers in September 2018 as our Second Junior. He will be assisting David Selsdon with the daily running of chambers, which will range from managing the diaries to assisting barristers. Having worked with David in the past he shares with him that same high level of efficiency and drive in all aspects of his work. Tom is an avid film and series watcher. He also enjoys playing cricket on the weekends for his team in Kent.

William McKimm

Fees Clerk

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William has been working as a clerk since 1984, and has previously held the position of Senior Clerk at a common law set. When not in chambers, William enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. He manages a boys football team, currently u18's, and has done so for the last 10 years. William plays in both a darts and pool league and is also a keen chess player.

Rosa Butler

Practice Manager

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Rosa joined Church Court in March 2022. She is an invaluable member of the clerking team. Her roles include assisting with day to day running of Chambers and the diary. She is known for her approachability and professionalism which she prides herself on. Rosa has completed the CBA’s public access training course and is a member of the Institute of Barrister’s Clerks. When not in Chambers Rosa enjoys teaching ballet, and supporting local charities by organising fundraisers.

Sian Redmond

Junior Clerk

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Sian joined Chambers is April 2023 after working as a legal assistant for a firm of solicitors. Her roles include assisting with the running of Chambers daily and administrative duties. In her spare time Sian enjoys hiking, French literature and photography.

Teressa Groves

Credit and Revenue Control Manager

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Teressa leads Chambers' Credit and Revenue Control Team with over 40 years experience in finance and book keeping. Teressa works with firms to ensure the swift resolution of aged debt in a proactive, approachable and professional fashion.

Llewellyn Culver-Evans

Year of Call - 2021

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Llewellyn practices within Chambers’ Crime, Regulatory and Private Prosecution Teams. Llewellyn practices predominantly in the Crown Court, however he is available to receive instructions to represent or advise on both pre-charge and post-charge issues, as well as appeals from the Magistrates and Crown Courts.

He is available to advise or represent on a range of issues including Driving Matters, General Crime, Private Prosecutions, Criminal Housing offences such as Unlawful Eviction, Environmental Protection Act prosecutions and HMO offences, and POCA proceedings. Furthermore, he appears in the Youth Court to defend young clients for serious offences, including Serious Violence, Robbery, Drugs Offences and Offensive Weapons.

Alongside his criminal practice, Llewellyn has experience being instructed in Taxi Licencing Appeals and Civil Confiscation.

Llewellyn is also developing a thriving private prosecution practice. He is regularly instructed by local authorities on matters concerning the Housing Act, Environmental Protection Act and the Protection from Eviction Act. Llewellyn is currently working with other members of Chambers in designing a training programme for local authorities on bringing private prosecutions in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts.

Current Instructions Include:

R v W: Sole Counsel for the second defendant in a multi-handed robbery trial involving a child complainant

R v M: Sole Counsel for the first defendant in an assault with intent to rob trial involving a child complainant

R v C: Sole Counsel in a s.18 GBH trial involving an acid attack

R v E: Sole Counsel for the first defendant in an aggravated burglary trial involving an allegation of attempted GBH on a child in a care home

R v H: Led by Lewis Power KC in a matter before the Court of Appeal

R v B: Sole Counsel for the second defendant in a large-scale conspiracy to commit theft

Recently Concluded Instructions of Note:

R v K: Sole Counsel for the defendant, acquitted of charges of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs (2023)

R v S: Sole Counsel for the Defendant, acquitted of charges of sexual assault (2023)

NAJ v LBE: Prosecution Counsel for a private prosecution of a landlord, prosecuted by their tenant for offences under the Environmental Protection Act (2023)

M v JC: Junior Counsel to Colin Witcher in successful High Court private prosecution challenge (2023)

R v C: Sole Counsel for the Defendant, acquitted of charges of money laundering (2023)

MVB v JC: Sole Counsel in a successful defence of a landlord, privately prosecuted by their tenant for offences under the Environmental Protection Act (2023)

R v D: Junior Counsel for the third defendant, acquitted on charges of being involved in an EncroChat conspiracy to supply cocaine (2023)

R v M: Counsel defending a youth charged with a stabbing of another youth outside their college (2023)

R v H: Junior Counsel to Lewis Power KC in a 2-month multi-kilo county lines drug conspiracy trial (2023)

JC v O: Disclosure Counsel for the prosecutor in a private prosecution for a allegation of fraud and forgery

TDC v T & Ors: Junior Counsel to Michael Polak on a 4-week unlawful eviction trial involving four defendants, believed to have been the largest trial of its kind in England and Wales (2022)

Life Before the Bar

Prior to joining the Bar, Llewellyn worked as a drafting and research assistant within Gainsborough Law Chambers, where he gained experience in Civil, Employment and Chancery matters. As a result, he has a firm grasp of the civil procedure rules and other non-criminal areas. This has proved of significant value in his quasi-criminal work.

Outside of his practice, Llewellyn works with organisations to expand access to legal professions from underrepresented and marginalised groups. He has a passion for expanding the diversity of the legal sector and has worked for a number of years in outreach projects.

Scholarships and Awards

Inner Temple Marshal Hall Trust Award
Inner Temple Basil Neild Prize
Inner Temple BPTC ‘Outstanding’ Award
University of Law Negotiation Competition Winner
University of Law BPTC Scholarship